Prabowo at the 100th Anniversary Reception of Pondok Gontor

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto attended the 100th Anniversary Thanksgiving Reception of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor (PMDG) at the PMDG Central Campus for Male Students in Ponorogo, East Java, on Saturday (19/9/2026).

The century milestone served as a moment of gratitude for Gontor's long journey.

Upon arrival, Prabowo was greeted by thousands of students waving the Indonesian national flag. He was also welcomed by the Chairman of the PMDG Waqf Board Hidayat Nur Wahid, along with Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor leaders KH Hasan Abdullah Sahal and KH Muhammad Akrim Mariyat.

Before Prabowo, KH Hasan Abdullah Sahal recounted the century-long dedication of PMDG to society, the nation, and the world.

According to Hasan, Gontor's founders selflessly endowed their ideas, values, systems, institutions, and their love for Indonesia.

“Hopefully, Mr. President and the people of Indonesia will be recipients of this endowment of the pondok's love. And may everyone love us all,” Hasan said.

Hasan then presented two books, Gontor untuk Indonesia and Mushaf Gontor, to Prabowo.

Prabowo expressed his gratitude for being able to join the extended Gontor family during this historic centennial milestone.

“We are thankful for the health and breath given to us so we can gather in this noble place, for an event as special as the 100th-anniversary thanksgiving reception of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor in Ponorogo, East Java,” Prabowo said.

Calls for Free Palestine

During his speech, while greeting the ambassadors of friendly nations present, Prabowo loudly proclaimed “Free Palestine.”

When the Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia, Abdalfatah AK Alsattari, was acknowledged, the applause from the students, alumni, and guests filled the room.

“Free Palestine! Free Palestine! Free Palestine!” Prabowo declared.

The Ambassador then approached Prabowo and draped a keffiyeh—a traditional Palestinian patterned cloth—around his neck.

Prabowo accepted the cloth and embraced the Ambassador warmly. He continued the speech wearing the keffiyeh on his shoulders.

“I was reminded of our brothers and sisters in Palestine; they are being slaughtered, bombed, and continuously attacked, while we often feel powerless to help them,” Prabowo said.

He emphasized that sympathy alone is not enough.

In educational environments like Gontor, he urged kyai, ulama, educators, and especially the younger generation to let this situation motivate them to study hard and help build a strong Indonesia.

“I believe this should encourage all of us, especially you, the kyai, ulama, and educators at institutions like Gontor. This should trigger a strong will,” he stated.

“A will to study diligently. A will to build a strong Indonesia, because a weak nation will be trampled by others,” Prabowo added.

Kisses the Quran

Prabowo was seen kissing the Quran gifted by the leadership of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor.

This moment happened after KH Hasan Abdullah Sahal concluded his speech before Prabowo.

Hasan then stepped down from the stage and presented a book titled Hadiah Gontor untuk Indonesia to Prabowo.

Other Gontor leaders also handed over a Mushaf Quran produced by Gontor students and printed by the pesantren's independent printing press.

Prabowo accepted the Mushaf and raised it to his lips to kiss it.

In his speech, Hasan noted that Gontor contributes to Indonesia through its alumni serving in various fields.

However, Hasan apologized for not detailing all contributions due to time constraints.

“This time, please forgive us; we can only present a glimpse, Sir. The contributions of our alumni to the nation are many; we cannot mention them one by one in this short time,” Hasan said.

Don’t Trust Foreign Agents

Prabowo warned the students of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor not to easily trust information circulating on social media.

He also urged them not to believe those he called foreign agents, who have money to pay social media buzzers and manipulate online discussions.

“Don't trust those I call foreign agents. They have money, they can pay buzzers, they manipulate social media, be careful!” Prabowo warned.

He accused these “foreign agents” of wanting to weaken Indonesian society by spreading misinformation online.

“Don’t believe everything you see on social media. They want to lower our spirits, our courage, our confidence, they want us weak,” Prabowo said.

He added that these agents want Indonesia to remain poor and enslaved by other nations.

“They want us to stay poor, to be their slaves forever. We do not want to be slaves to other nations!” Prabowo declared.

Surprised by His Own Achievements

Prabowo admitted he was surprised to discover many successes his administration has achieved for the people, even though it has been in office for just under two years.

He said he only learned the details after his internal team compiled them into a book.

“I myself was surprised; I didn’t know they made that book. Suddenly they handed it to me. I read it and realized just how much we have accomplished — I didn’t fully realize how much we’ve done for the Indonesian people,” Prabowo said.

The statement came after Prabowo expressed greater confidence in carrying out his mandate as President.

His confidence has grown because his administration, soon approaching its two-year milestone, has delivered many benefits to the people.

“I’m confident because now we’ve proven we are not mere talkers! As proof, if I’m not mistaken, the book made by my team has been distributed,” Prabowo said.

The head of state then urged the public to study the government’s various achievements detailed in the book.

“There are many accomplishments listed in this book in front of you. Study it and believe that Indonesia’s future is bright,” Prabowo said.

One achievement he highlighted was Indonesia's attainment of food self-sufficiency, a goal he has long championed.

He pointed out that a world full of conflicts and wars underscores the importance of a country not depending on others.

“Praise be to God, we have reached food self-sufficiency, our reserves are sufficient. We have taken steps to anticipate adverse weather like El Niño and drought. We are ready,” Prabowo said.

Besides food, Prabowo claimed the government is also progressing toward energy independence. He asserted Indonesia stopped importing solar fuel since July 1.

“These days, solar fuel is scarce worldwide. Even with money, it might not be available. Praise be to God, we can produce our own solar fuel, fellow citizens,” he said.

Prabowo revealed that solar fuel can be produced from palm oil. He also expressed increased confidence that palm oil is a valuable crop because it can yield many products.

“From palm oil, we can get 57 derivatives; we can get medicine, soap, various things, especially fuel,” Prabowo said.

He also mentioned plans to develop gasoline production from coal.

“Our smart professors—real experts, not those others— from engineering faculties have succeeded in making solar fuel from palm oil. We will also produce gasoline from coal soon,” Prabowo explained.